Sermons on Merged Congregations:

Church's Foundation

Contributed by David Marks on Oct 3, 2007

The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of those who have been called out of sin into righteousness (I Peter 2:9). The word Church can refer to individual congregation

What does God desire for the Church in the year 2005? In order for us to answer this question we need to look at what the Church is and how the Church was started. The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Playing The Fool To Defeat The Fool Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 29, 2012

No matter how diligently you walk with God, some people within a congregation may look down upon you and falsely criticize you. Sometimes you should ignore the criticism and move on. At other times you need to respond. Paul provides a case study of fight

Playing the Fool to Defeat the Fool (2 Corinthians 11:1, 5-15) 1. A Louisiana man has been released from death row, becoming the 300th prisoner nationwide to be freed after DNA evidence showed he was innocent. Of those 300 prisoners, 18 had been on death row, according to lawyers from the New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:5-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rules Are Rules Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 1, 2014

The Pharisees of Jesus' day died long ago. But their spirit lives on in congregations across the land. How can we recognize if we have become like the Pharisees, and what did Jesus teach us about what we need to know to avoid becoming like those men?

(Before reading the text I noted that the stories in this section of Mark detailed the conflict between Jesus and a religious group known as the Pharisees… and I emphasized the word "Pharisees" as I read through the text) OPEN: Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The House Of God Lives Series

Contributed by Bobby Gilles on Sep 23, 2014

How can we love each other well? How do we not only tolerate diversity, but celebrate it? How do we not only celebrate it, but pray for more of it – much more than we currently see in our congregation? The answer is in God's word ...

My wife Kristen and I often watch a sitcom on Netflix at the end of a long day. I like Cheers; Kristen likes The Andy Griffith Show. So we compromise on one or the other. Andy Griffith takes us back to a simple time and an idyllic, small North Carolina community, where people sang country gospel ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

"Galatians: Fighting For The Gospel” Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 5, 2023

Tis message is not about "our Walk" nor "the Way" to have peace with God. It is an overview of Galatians and the person of Paul. I have comments about our multi ethnic ministry, as was the congregation in Galatia. Encouragement to read more in the bible this year, a goal.

In Jesus Holy Name January 8, 2023 Text: Galatians Series Galatians 1:1-5 Redeemer “Galatians: Fighting For the Gospel” My wife, Colleen, volunteers at the Mercy Hospital Cancer Center in Merced. She greets people, helps them check in or fill out ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5, Galatians 1:1

Denomination: Lutheran

How Pride Destroys A Church Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Mar 2, 2023

This is the seventh message in a series we're doing on 1st Corinthians. Today we're talking about how a little leaven will leaven the whole lump, and how Church discipline not only keeps the integrity of a congregation, but how it is actually a loving act to the sinning member.

Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 OPEN WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING Now we've been in 1 Corinthians for a while, and we've seen Paul address a few of the issues that were going on in that Church. And I don't know about all you, but I'm thankful that God chose to add this book to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Overcoming Discouragement

Contributed by Dennis Nolan on Oct 18, 2000

Text 1 Samuel 30 v 6 David found strength in the Lord his God Having been a preacher now for well over half of my life it would be wonderful to stand before a congregation and say that one always preaches or lives life from the point of view of victory.

Text 1 Samuel 30 v 6 David found strength in the Lord his God Having been a preacher now for well over half of my life it would be wonderful to stand before a congregation and say that one always preaches or lives life from the point of view of victory. That would however be untrue. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:6

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Something I Really Don’t Want To Talk About!

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Jan 26, 2010

There are things we don't like talking about. Like, sex with our kids and money with our congregation. We might also add to that list death, hell and money. But even when we don't like talking about it we must preach the whole counsel of God.

Introduction – Fire Alarms and the Conscience Many electronic fire alarms have an internal switch triggered by a beam of light. As long as light is received unbroken by the photo-sensitive receiver, the detector is quiet. But if smoke or moisture or an insect obstructs the beam for even a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Handling Negativity In Relationships

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Sep 12, 2020

Whether it is family, friends, congregation, coworkers, strangers or random people online, we all encounter negativity in relationships somewhere along our journeys. How will we answer when we encounter it? Will we allow our flesh to dictate our answer or will we give an answer that honors the Lord?

Today we are going to talk about how to handle negativity in relationships. Whether it is family, friends, congregation, coworkers, strangers or random people online, we all encounter negativity in relationships somewhere along our journeys. How will we answer when we encounter it? Will we allow ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:4, James 3:5-6

Denomination: Charismatic

Some People Have Entertained Angels Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Aug 29, 2021

There are a few people that come to you for help and you would prefer not to help them since you don't have any acquaintance with them or they don't have a place with your congregation, yet you have failed to remember that those individuals might be a heavenly messenger of your life.

There are a few people that come to you for help and you would prefer not to help them since you don't have any acquaintance with them or they don't have a place with your congregation, yet you have failed to remember that those individuals might be a heavenly messenger of your life. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:6, Hebrews 13:2

"Rescue Of Martin Luther, Valentina And Us”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 24, 2023

Rescue. From a cave. From terrorist. From God's wrath. It is reformation. We remember that God rescued Martin Luther from spiritual despair, thus rescuing a "Church" that had lost the gospel. As a congregation are "rescuing" a child with "Child Beyond Borders"

In Jesus Holy Name October 29, 2023 Romans 3:22-25a Reformation Redeemer “Rescue of Martin Luther, Valentina and Us” Rescue. The news media loves to tell us stories about rescue, whether from a deep cave in central Turkey or from ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22-25, Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Unity Through Prayer

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Oct 31, 2023

I love it when someone calls me or texts me asking me questions about God’s Word. I don’t know all the answers, but I know the One who does! When I get these questions, it helps me grow. I believe it impossible for a church to grow, if the pastor and congregation are not growing in Christ!

Years ago, when Lisa and I joined a church that had just started, I invited some friends to church. They came, and one of them said “now that’s my kind of sermon, 13 minutes long”. Well, it wasn’t the short sermon that hooked him, because they never returned. Today may be the shortest sermon you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Are We Faithful Stewards

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 25, 2024

Are you a steward of your church or His?

1 Cor 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  We were praying about churches without pastors on Wednesday. Someone asked that God would send men to pastor them and I said He might, but pulpit committees are way too picky especially when the new pastor ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

Work Or Worship Outline

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 13, 2020

We have degraded the Lord's Day to our own hurt.

Work Or Worship? Proposition: You must sanctify the Lord’s Day! I. Because of the principle of the Sabbath! Mark 2:27 A. It was given for physical rest! Deuteronomy 5:13-14, Exodus 23:12, 31:15,17, 34:21, 35:2, Nehemiah 10:31, 13:15-22 B. It was given ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:27, Deuteronomy 5:13-14, Colossians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Roots Of Reform, Revival And Righteousness

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 1, 2009

A message for the 40th Anniversary of the Wesleyan Church

Roots of Reform, Revival and Righteousness A Brief History of the Wesleyan Church October 5, 2008 – 40th Anniversary Celebration Morning Service Introduction 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-5

Denomination: Church Of God